Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/217

FIRST STEPS IN EXPANSION 187 one was to be undertaken. As Mr. Rockefeller, however, had made his great contribution, and a few months later another million had been secured in Chicago, nothing seemed impossible of accom- plishment. The President felt that the University must be placed at the start in the front rank. Before these large accessions of funds the greater institutions of the country had regarded the prospects of the University with much doubt. It was freely asserted that the funds were insufficient, that the professors would not be paid the salaries promised, and prophecies of disaster were frequently uttered to discourage professors from accepting positions on the faculty. All this was changed by the addition of these new millions. The critics and prophets of evil were silenced, and the conviction became general that the new University had not only come to stay, but would take its place among the first institutions of the land. There was an instant change of attitude on the part of professors invited to take places on the faculties. But this change extended beyond those who were thus invited. The President began now to be informed that leading educators would welcome opportunities to enter the service of the University. It was found that great departments, which it had not been intended to estab- lish at the outset, could be organized with eminent head professors and able associates. It was now more than easy to fill up with a full complement of professors departments already organized. The President was inspired with a natural ambition to have the number of the departments complete, to have them well manned, and to make the University of Chicago second to no other. As a result of all this, departments for which financial provision had not been made were organized in addition to the number for which provision had been made. Skeleton departments were filled out by additional appointments beyond the number for which funds had been provided. For this great enlargement reasons appeared from tune to time that seemed to justify if not to demand it. There seemed good reason for the expectation that a large payment (unfortunately delayed for a year) would be made on the Ogden bequest. Subscriptions were made for buildings for special departments, and it was felt that the departments must be organ- ized so as to be well under way when the buildings were ready.